The consideration thereof serves greatly for the reproof of that wretched distemper in many that profess the same faith and hope,1 provoking one another, and consuming one another, and by frowardness, disquieting the rest and content of others. Is it not here an express charge that we should forbear one another? Have we not here the example of Christ who did so,2 who might have had a thousand fold more just reason to upbraid, censure, or find fault, then we have, or can have. Besides this distempered peevishness, and froward misconceiving and censuring, it is bred of ill causes, for it comes either of malice or ignorance. Of malice, for love covereth a multitude of sins, especially it suspendeth doubtful actions. Of ignorance, for it is certain a wise man will keep in till afterwards, or hold it his glory to be able to pass by an offence. Further, this sin may be aggravated by the relations that are mutually between Christians. Are they not fellow-members, coheirs, fellow-citizens, partakers of the same afflictions, are they not brethren, &c. Besides is not this also a constant justice, that they that judge, are judged; they that censure, are censured; and doth not this envying, and jangling, give occasion of rejoicing to adversaries? Doth it not many times so transform Christians, that it makes them very like wicked men, when they grow so distempered that they revile their own mothers sonsh? In the fifth to the Galatians the Apostle urgeth this reproof by divers reasons, such as this. A little of the leaven of these distempers, will sour the whole lump: and those courses tend not to any good, but to the disquieting of Gods people, and it is not a small matter to trouble and vex them. Besides inasmuch as Christians have trouble enough otherwaies, it doth not become their brethren to trouble them: and we should be so far from troubling our brethren, as we should rather serve them by love, and if men will needs bite one another, let them take heed lest they be devoured one of another. Lastly, if men will not be warned, then let them know the Judge standeth at the doori. Now that we may attain this forbearing, even to be rightly ordered towards the infirmities, or wrongs of others, we must labour to get more Christian love of others;
The consideration thereof serues greatly for the reproofe of that wretched distemper in many that professe the same faith and hope,1 prouoking one another, and consuming one another, and by frowardnesse, disquieting the rest and content of others. Is it not heere an expresse charge that wee should forbeare one another? Haue we not heere the example of Christ who did so,2 who might haue had a thousand fold more iust reason to vpbraid, censure, or finde fault, then we haue, or can haue. Besides this distempered peeuishnes, and froward misconceiuing and censuring, it is bred of ill causes, for it comes either of malice or ignorance. Of malice, for loue couereth a multitude of sins, especially it suspendeth doubtfull actions. Of ignorance, for it is certaine a wise man will keepe in till afterwards, or hold it his glory to be able to passe by an offence. Further, this sinne may be aggrauated by the relations that are mutually betweene Christians. Are they not fellow-members, coheires, fellow-citizens, partakers of the same afflictions, are they not brethren, &c. Besides is not this also a constant iustice, that they that iudge, are iudged; they that censure, are censured; and doth not this enuying, and iangling, giue occasion of reioycing to aduersaries? Doth it not many times so transforme Christians, that it makes them very like wicked men, when they grow so distempered that they reuile their owne mothers sonnesh? In the fifth to the Galathians the Apostle vrgeth this reproofe by diuers reasons, such as this. A little of the leauen of these distempers, will sowre the whole lumpe: and those courses tend not to any good, but to the disquieting of Gods people, and it is not a small matter to trouble and vexe them. Besides inasmuch as Christians haue trouble enough otherwaies, it doth not become their brethren to trouble them: and we should be so farre from troubling our brethren, as we should rather serue them by loue, and if men will needes bite one another, let them take heede lest they be deuoured one of another. Lastly, if men will not be warned, then let them know the Iudge standeth at the doorei. Now that we may attaine this forbearing, euen to be rightly ordered towards the infirmities, or wrongs of others, we must labour to get more Christian loue of others;
- 1Uses.Ʋses.
- 2Motives.Motiues.
- hPsal. 50.20. Gal. 5.9.10.11 12.13.15.
- iJam. 5.9. Rules for the practise of forbearance.Iam. 5.9. Rules for the practise of forbearance.
